Ed Said - Long term plans always subjective

 

Councils everywhere are currently working on future developments for their respective areas and, of course, Kaipara is no different. How do you see a long term plan? A necessary evil or do you just leave it to our governing who have all the facts and figures needed to plan our future?

Two-hundred-seventy-six  submissions received from the whole of Kaipara doesn’t seem a large number with about a quarter of these speaking to their submissions. This doesn’t necessarily mean people are happy with our local governance. It simply means that some take a closer interest in local body matters than others and then the needs of Mangawhai will invariably be different from those in Donnellys Crossing (do Mangawhai people even know where that is?), Puoto or Tangowahine.

It’s interesting to note that the NRC, who play a big part in the management of waterways and other environmental issues around our patch, received 2200 submissions yet at a 10 Year Plan information evening, only one member of the public turned up. It’s not that people don’t care, it’s just that they have other priorities and, in fact, it appears much easier to protest after the event if things don’t go the way they perceive they should. 

Generally though, they care about short term problems, not long-term ones. During the course of a 10 year plan there can conceivably be three different councils, each with differing agendas and changing priorities. So a plan is just that; a plan, a blueprint, a guideline of future vision, but simply cannot be set in stone because, like any plan or budget there are so many factors – variables both locally, nationally and internationally – that can and usually do, come into play during the term of the plan to change it markedly. I believe there should be one but there is no way all eventualities can be covered. Kaipara District Council acknowledges this.

The principle subject relates to roading, safety, footpaths and street lighting which in itself has many factors relating to establishment and maintenance of new subdivision roading, and the resurrection of roads following slips and storm damage. Maintenance of the many kilometres of metal roads, particularly in outer areas, has been a subject of ongoing debate since the days of ox carts, both for residents and for Councils, the stumbling block being cost in relation to the low-density residential level. 

Kaipara historically over the past ten years will also give an indication of what is trending and what pitfalls should be avoided, especially in the areas of population growth and infrastructure and the requirements generated by one for the other look set to continue for some time yet.

From now, anyway, submissions will be considered, then consolidated into blocks as many carry a similar subject theme, by early May. Briefings of Council staff will then see some put up for adoption followed by consultation to clarify some issues with the hope of having the plan in place by late May. 

And life in Kaipara will go on.

Rob

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